Wally Wood: Classic Tales of Torrid Romance

(Christmas 2014)

Classic Tales of Torrid Romance (Table of Contents: 1)

credits, title page / 4 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wally Wood

Inks

Wally Wood

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Indexer Notes

Title pages and indicia.

Contents (Table of Contents: 2)

table of contents / 1 page (report information)

Script

?

Colors

?

Letters

typeset; Don Martin

An Introduction (Table of Contents: 3)

foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 2 pages (report information)

Script

J. David Spurlock

Pencils

Wally Wood

Inks

Wally Wood

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

His Kisses Were Tainted (Table of Contents: 4)

comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wally Wood

Inks

Wally Wood

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Characters

Ken Roberts; Phyllis Mott; Fred Mackay; Dan Kostello; Mrs. Mott

Synopsis

Phyllis and Ken are engaged but can’t get married until he’s established in business. She goes to work as a secretary for Mr. Mackay, and falls for him. She also invests her widowed mother’s life savings in mining stock recommended by her boss. Mackay takes Phyllis on a “business” trip and is murdered by a former associate he’d cheated. Ken has married someone else, so Phyllis and her mother move away and start over in a new town, where her mother runs a boarding house and Phyllis works as a waitress.

Reprints

• from My Life True Stories in Pictures (Fox, 1948 series) #10 (September 1949)

Decision with Danger (Table of Contents: 5)

comic story / 9 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Martin Rosenthall [as Emrose]

Inks

Wally Wood [as Wallace Wood]

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Characters

Lorna Vaile; Miss Willkins; Peter Brent; Larry Brent; Dr. Conrad; Kathryn Brent

Synopsis

Nurse Lorna is hired to care for alcoholic Larry, the foster brother of Peter. Larry believes he caused the death of Peter’s wife Kathryn, and that’s why he started drinking. Peter tells Lorna that Larry owns the family home and business. Both Larry and Peter propose to Lorna, but when Peter hits Larry, she says she won’t marry either of them and is leaving the next day. That night, the house catches fire. Larry, whom Lorna thinks is a “weakling,” risks his life to save Lorna and Peter. Peter dies, but first confesses he framed Larry for Kathryn’s death. Larry and Lorna get married.

Reprints

• from My Experience (Fox, 1949 series) #19 (September 1949)

Indexer Notes

“Wood’s First Comics Job” states that “another early Fox story, ‘Decision with Danger’...previously attributed to Wood, is also an early Wood-Rosenthall collaboration.” (Stewart 2003, 54). Accompanying this text is a reproduction of the splash page from pencils, with both “Wood” and “Emrose” signatures worked into the art. A reproduction of the inked splash is also shown.
This reprint states: "Wally Wood inks over Martin Rosenthall".

Peter Brent is drawn to resemble actor John Wayne.

My Tarnished Reputation (Table of Contents: 6)

comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Martin Rosenthall (see note)

Inks

Wally Wood [as Wallace Wood]

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Characters

Billie Tanner; Bob Metcalfe; Miss Harris; Mr. Blake; Mr. Metcalfe; Mrs. Metcalfe; Mrs. Tanner; Mr. Tanner

Synopsis

Office worker Billie confesses to tampering with the company's books and is fired, although her boss thinks she’s protecting someone else. It was actually Bob, her boyfriend and the boss’s son, who took the firm’s money. He promises to make it up to her. Billie can’t find another job and her father is also fired because of the scandal. She visits Bob’s house to confront him. Bob confesses to his parents that he stole the money to pay gambling debts and asks Billie to marry him.

Reprints

• from My Confession (Fox, 1949 series) #8 (October 1949)

Indexer Notes

"Billie" is spelled "Billy" in one panel on the last page of the story.
This reprint states: "Wally Wood inks over Martin Rosenthall".

I Was Unwanted (Table of Contents: 7)

comic story / 9 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wally Wood [as Wallace Wood]

Inks

Wally Wood [as Wallace Wood]

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Characters

Marilyn Burke; Aunt Emily; Uncle Dave; Suzie; Janie; Dick; Alan Lesser; Kenny

Synopsis

Marilyn is ostracized as a child because her mother killed her father and then committed suicide. After graduation, Marilyn goes to work for her uncle and falls in love with Alan, who doesn’t care about her family’s past. When a fire destroys Alan’s store, gossip spreads that Marilyn started it, and she leaves town. However, Alan finds her and says he never believed she was to blame. They are reunited.

Reprints

• from My Confession (Fox, 1949 series) #8 (October 1949)

Keywords

murder; suicide

I Played at Love (Table of Contents: 8)

comic story / 9 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wally Wood (see note)

Inks

?

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Characters

Kent Barnes; Karen; Irene; Mr. Grand

Synopsis

Inspired by her older sister Irene, "an executive in a large firm," Karen goes to work in Mr. Grand's dress shop while still in high school. She is eventually promoted to Mr. Grand's assistant. Karen falls in love with and marries Kent, but refuses to quit her job. Mr. Grand retires and makes her store manager; Kent fears this will mean she has no time for him. He's right, and asks Karen for a divorce. She decides to "quit my job and spend my time being your wife!"

Reprints

• from My Love Secret (Fox, 1949 series) #26 (October 1949)

Indexer Notes

This reprint states: "Wally Wood pencils".

My Secret Husband (Table of Contents: 9)

comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wally Wood; Harry Harrison (see note)

Inks

Wally Wood; Harry Harrison (see note)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Characters

Vivian; Mary; Jerry; Bill Hall; Vivian's mother

Synopsis

Office worker Vivian has no social life because she takes care of her elderly mother after work each day. Vivian has a crush on their neighbor Bill, who is popular and handsome. When Vivian is locked out one night, Bill helps her and they fall in love. They get married but Vivian keeps their relationship a secret from her mother. When her mother catches them together, she has an attack. However, when Bill explains that he’s married to Vivian, the older woman blesses their union and they’ll all live together from now on.

Reprints

• from My Love Memoirs (Fox, 1949 series) #9 (November 1949)

Indexer Notes

Possible signature hidden in brand of typewriter on splash page. This reprint states: "Wally Wood with Harry Harrison".

I Was a Delinquent (Table of Contents: 10)

comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Martin Rosenthall (see note)

Inks

Wally Wood (see note)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Characters

Joan Teasdale; Betty; Miss Smith; Ted; Joe Haskel; Charles Derwell; Mr. Teasdale; Mrs. Teasdale

Synopsis

Joan is unjustly accused of stealing a classmate’s purse at business school. Upset, that night she agrees to a date with Ted, who takes her to a road house and makes a pass at her. She’s rescued by the manager, Joe. Joe hires Joan as his bookkeeper and then promotes her to “an officer of the firm” so she can sign checks. Joan dates Joe’s lawyer Charles and they fall in love. The IRS arrests Joe for tax evasion, and Joan is also implicated. However, Charles has her cleared and they can be together at last.

Reprints

• from My Secret Life (Fox, 1949 series) #25 (January 1950)

Indexer Notes

This reprint states: "Wally Wood inks over Martin Rosenthall".

No Wedding Bells for Me (Table of Contents: 11)

comic story / 9 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wally Wood; Harry Harrison (see note)

Inks

Wally Wood; Harry Harrison (see note)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Characters

Leonore Frank; Luke; Polly; Larry; Bob; Bert Colin; Trudy Colin; Polly; Fred

Reprints

• from My Experience (Fox, 1949 series) #21 (January 1950)

Indexer Notes

This reprint states: "Wally Wood with Harry Harrison".

I Couldn't Love...!! (Table of Contents: 12)

comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wally Wood; Harry Harrison (see note)

Inks

Wally Wood; Harry Harrison (see note)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Reprints

• from True-to-Life Romances (Star Publications, 1949 series) #20 (January 1954)

Indexer Notes

This reprint states: "Wally Wood with Harry Harrison".

Quicksand Romance (Table of Contents: 13)

comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wally Wood ?

Inks

Wally Wood

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Characters

Robert Kendrick [Robert Kendricks]; Janet Kendricks; Aunt Kate; Gordon Grant

Synopsis

Janet marries Robert but on their honeymoon cruise she discovers he is jealous and domineering. “His jealousy was fantastic!!” When they get home, Robert’s behavior becomes even more unhinged, and he forbids Janet to mention his mother. On a trip to the mountains, Robert chases a man who snapped their photo and falls off a cliff to his death. Robert’s executor Gordon tells Janet that she’ll inherit nothing if she ever remarries. Janet finds Robert’s diary and learns his mother left his father, which explains why he was the way he was. Janet gives up Robert’s fortune and will marry Gordon.

Reprints

• from My Secret Life (Fox, 1949 series) #25 (January 1950)

Indexer Notes

Robert is called "Kendrick" on page 2, but "Kendricks" thereafter.

He Needed Me (Table of Contents: 14)

comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Martin Rosenthall (see note)

Inks

Wally Wood (see note)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Characters

Jean Crockett; Bill; Charlotte; Myrna Sanders; Ted; Mary; Bob Loftus; Mrs. Devander

Reprints

• from My Secret Story (Fox, 1949 series) #28 (February 1950)

Indexer Notes

This reprint states: "Wally Wood inks over Martin Rosenthall".

His Wife Hated Me (Table of Contents: 15)

comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wally Wood [as Wallace Wood]

Inks

Wally Wood [as Wallace Wood]

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Characters

Mae Courtley; June; Mr. Lee; Mrs. Peters; Jean; Mr. Cooper; William Loughlin; Tessie Loughlin; Jessup Tyler; Gertrude

Reprints

• from My Secret Life (Fox, 1949 series) #26 (March 1950)

Dead End for Love (Table of Contents: 16)

comic story / 9 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

?

Inks

Wally Wood

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Reprints

• from Life Story (Fawcett, 1949 series) #13 (April 1950)

Indexer Notes

This reprint states: "Wally Wood inks".

The Penthouse (Table of Contents: 17)

comic story / 11 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wally Wood

Inks

Harry Harrison ?

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Characters

Laura Carlin; Fred Dawson; Gloria; Mr. Greenwood; Mr. Spengler; Mrs. Carlin; Steven Jameson; George Gordon; Kathy Carlin; Mrs. Dawson

Synopsis

Typist Laura is engaged to Fred but dreams of someday becoming rich and famous enough to live in a penthouse. She schemes to work her way up in life, using flattery and deceit to eventually become an associate producer on a play written by Steven. However, this causes her to neglect her family and Fred. Steven proposes marriage to Laura, but she realizes that Fred was her true love. However, when she visits him, she discovers Fred has married someone else.

Reprints

• from Exciting Romances (Fawcett, 1949 series) #3 (June 1950)

Dance-Hall Girl (Table of Contents: 18)

comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wally Wood

Inks

?

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Reprints

• from Sweetheart Diary (Fawcett, 1949 series) #3 (June 1950)

Indexer Notes

This reprint seems certain about the Wood connection.

Love's Rapture (Table of Contents: 19)

comic story / 11 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wally Wood

Inks

Wally Wood

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Reprints

• from True Sweetheart Secrets (Fawcett, 1950 series) #2 (July 1950)

Tears for a Memory (Table of Contents: 20)

comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

?

Inks

Wally Wood

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Characters

Virginia Barton; Mr. Randolf; Carl Sherman; Hank; Mr. Martin

Synopsis

Virginia falls in love with engineering student Carl, who works for a large construction company. She attempts to promote his career, often against Carl’s wishes. Virginia submits Carl’s plans for a new bridge, ignoring his warning that “a few flaws” still exist, and bypasses the approval process. The bridge is built and collapses, injuring Carl and another man. Carl is about to be indicted for criminal negligence but Virginia confesses and is sent to prison. When she is released, she sees that a new bridge has been built, based on Carl’s revised plans. Carl and Virginia reconcile.

Reprints

• from True Tales of Romance (Fawcett, 1950 series) #4 (July 1950)

Indexer Notes

Randolf's name is spelled "Randolph" in one panel. This reprint states: "Wally Wood inks only".

When You Are Gone (Table of Contents: 21)

comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wally Wood

Inks

?

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Reprints

• from Sweetheart Diary (Fawcett, 1949 series) #4 (August 1950)

Indexer Notes

This reprint seems certain about the Wood connection.

Love Problems (Table of Contents: 22)

comic story / 2 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wally Wood

Inks

Wally Wood

Colors

?

Letters

?

Job Number

R-230

Genre

romance

Reprints

• from Popular Romance (Pines, 1949 series) #10 (December 1950)

Love Problems (Table of Contents: 23)

comic story / 2 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wally Wood

Inks

Wally Wood

Colors

?

Letters

?

Job Number

R-222?

Genre

romance

Reprints

• from Thrilling Romances (Pines, 1949 series) #12 (March 1951)

I Was a Shrew! (Table of Contents: 24)

comic story / 8.5 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wally Wood

Inks

Wally Wood ?

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Characters

Carla Bartley; Beatrice Bartley; Vincent; Mr. Bartley; Peter McMann

Reprints

• from Popular Teen-Agers (Star Publications, 1950 series) #14 (November 1952)
which is reprinted
• from ?

A Red, Red Rose (Table of Contents: 25)

Poetic Love / comic story / 0.5 page (report information)

Script

Robert Burns

Pencils

?

Inks

?

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Reprints

• from Popular Teen-Agers (Star Publications, 1950 series) #14 (November 1952)

Indexer Notes

4-panels of art and the first two stanzas from the Robert Burns poem.

I Tormented Men (Table of Contents: 26)

comic story / 5 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wally Wood

Inks

?

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

romance

Characters

Dee Turner; Lin Turner; Ray Fulton; Joan; Brad Saber

Reprints

• from Top Love Stories (Star Publications, 1951 series) #12 (April 1953)

Indexer Notes

This reprint seems certain about the Wood connection. Pages 6-9 omitted from this reprint!

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 27) (Expand) /

promo (ad from the publisher) / 1 page (report information)